Mortaine’s Blog

I’m reading a book on interactive user interface design right now.

Here’s an interesting thought: a child is amused by a ball because it seems interactive because the child does not know why it comes back– does not understand the physics of it. When the child learns the physics of the ball, the ball is no longer interacting with the child; it is inanimate.

This explains perfectly why I (and a friend) blew up a bunch of beach balls for my recent party, only to have them sit, untouched, on the floor all afternoon and evening. And why helium baloons aren’t even that much fun for me as an adult.

This chapter is all about play, and as I read it, I’m learning things about my own sense of playfulness that I didn’t completely understand before (like, why I usually quit playing computer games halfway through).

The other side of play, the competitive side, is what really drives me, I think. Despite enjoying cooperative games, I enjoy those games most when there is conflict that my team can overcome.

Interesting stuff. Note to self: read Huizinga’s Homo Ludens, recommended in this chapter of the book.

I finished reading Hearts in Atlantis last night (well, technically this morning).

I will post a review over in my plog and/or in the Plogs.net community bookreviews.

I am, however, trying to figure out what the hell King was doing when he wrote that. It seems kind of uneven… and the things that tie together do so waaaay too consciously.

I had a good lunch, followed by an espresso brownie and non-fat milk for dessert. Which was, frankly, delectable and completely worth every calorie. Espresso brownies should be classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. Espresso and chocolate chips– how can you go wrong?